Dynamic compass calibration in a portable device

Abstract

The magnitude of a sensed, raw magnetic field in a portable device is monitored over a given time interval. The monitored magnitude is compared with predetermined criteria. Based on the comparison, recalibration of a compass function is signed. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for dynamic calibration of a compass in a portable device, comprising:
 monitoring, by a processor of the portable device, the magnitude of a raw magnetic field sensed by a magnetic sensor of the portable device over a time interval; 
 comparing, by the processor of the portable device, the monitored magnitude with at least one of a position, orientation, and movement of the portable device detected by at least one other sensor of the portable device; and 
 signaling a recalibration of the compass based on the comparison. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the monitoring the magnitude comprises:
 maintaining a running average of the magnitude. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  further comprising;
 computing a geomagnetic field based on the sensed raw magnetic field; 
 monitoring inclination of the computed geomagnetic field over the time interval; and 
 comparing the inclination with predetermined criteria, 
 wherein signaling the recalibration is further based on the comparison involving the inclination. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3  wherein the monitoring the inclination comprises:
 maintaining a running average of the inclination. 
 
     
     
       5. A portable device comprising:
 a portable device housing having integrated therein:
 a magnetic sensor configured to sense a raw magnetic field, 
 a compass calibrator coupled to the magnetic sensor, and 
 an indicator module configured to:
 monitor a magnitude of the raw magnetic field over a time interval, 
 compare the monitored magnitude with at least one of a position, orientation, and movement of the portable device detected by at least one other sensor of the portable device, and, 
 based on the comparison, signal the calibrator to recalibrate. 
 
 
 
     
     
       6. The portable device of  claim 5  wherein the indicator module is configured to monitor a running average of the magnitude of the raw magnetic field. 
     
     
       7. The portable device of  claim 5  wherein the indicator module is further configured to:
 monitor inclination of a geomagnetic field computed by the compass calibrator over the time interval, and 
 compare the inclination with predetermined criteria, and 
 wherein signaling the recalibration is further based on the inclination comparison. 
 
     
     
       8. The portable device of  claim 7  wherein the indicator module is to monitor inclination so as to maintain a running average of the inclination. 
     
     
       9. A non-transitory machine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions executable by a processor of a portable device, the instructions comprising:
 instructions for monitoring the magnitude of a sensed raw magnetic field over a time interval, 
 instructions for comparing the monitored magnitude with at least one of a position, orientation, and movement of the portable device, and 
 instructions for signaling a recalibration of a compass based on the comparison. 
 
     
     
       10. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 9  further comprising instructions for monitoring, by the processor, the magnitude so as to maintain a running average of the magnitude. 
     
     
       11. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 9  further comprising instructions for monitoring, by the processor, inclination of a geomagnetic field computed by the compass, over the time interval, compare the inclination with predetermined criteria, and signal the recalibration further based on the inclination comparison. 
     
     
       12. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 11  further comprising instructions for monitoring, by the processor, inclination so as to maintain a running average of the inclination.